Land, Buildings & Real Estate (LBRE) is the operational core of Stanford University’s physical campus. LBRE constructs and maintains the Stanford campus, where advancements across the academic spectrum are made possible. Our work is founded upon the collective value of dedication, innovation, expertise, teamwork, and continuous improvement. We are committed to serving the university’s academic mission, as well as preserving and enhancing Stanford’s 8,180 acres, and pride ourselves on supporting the teaching and research of the university as “Caretakers of a LEGACY."
Department Introduction:
The Water Resources & Civil Infrastructure (WRCI) department is responsible for the engineering, operation and maintenance of the water distribution, storm drainage and sanitary sewer systems, and roads, bridges, and dams, with an institutional long-term perspective and focus on sustainability. The water systems include domestic (potable), lake (for irrigation) and recycled water, as well as sanitary sewer and storm drainage; components include wells, reservoirs, pump stations, and creek diversion facilities, in addition to pipe networks. The Stanford civil infrastructure systems are comparable in size and complexity to those of a medium-size city or district.
Core Values:
LBRE Core Values of Leadership, Exploration, Gratitude, Accountability, Community and You, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in their management style and help to build an organization where these qualities serve as the foundation for successful and rewarding careers for all employees. LBRE views a strong culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion as one where everyone can thrive. It is a culture of trust and respect, where staff can be their authentic selves, feel safe and work in a place that they feel they belong. We strive to create a community that draws upon a wide pool of talent to unify excellence while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
Job Purpose:
The Senior Civil Infrastructure Engineer position is on the Engineering Team within the Water Resources and Civil Infrastructure Group, Sustainability & Energy Management, in the Land, Buildings and Real Estate Department. Besides the engineering team of four engineers and an inspector, the group consists of a water planning and stewardship team, water business systems and data management team, and a water shop consisting of a supervisor and eight technicians.
Given the breadth of the Group’s purview of water systems and other civil infrastructure, general civil engineering experience such as land development and public works consulting will be more valuable/applicable and preferred over experience that focused on specialized areas such as water/wastewater treatment, structural engineering, or water utility administration. In addition, extensive field experience and familiarity with construction documents and processes besides just in-office analytical/design experience will be essential. Preservation of reliability and service capacity adequacy of the civil infrastructure systems necessitates continuous assessment and analyses, along with identification, scoping and prioritization of infrastructure renewal, upgrade, and expansion projects. The engineer works collaboratively within a team setting not only within the group but also with campus operations and development colleagues in various departments, to maximize cost-effectiveness and facilitate operational efficiency. Two major aspects of the Group’s focus currently are: (1) upgrading and expansion of the water systems’ SCADA, metering & instrumentation, and asset management systems; and (2) comprehensive condition & capacity assessments and development of master plans and capital improvement programs for each category of civil infrastructure.
The effort also involves systems evaluations and engineering support efforts such as hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, field inspections and condition assessments, engineering analyses, data management, field reconnaissance, preparation/review of design drawings and specifications, managing consultants and contractors, and field inspection of construction and installations. Balancing productivity with attention to detail is crucial for this role.
The engineer in this position works closely with and supports the other engineers in the group to address the various areas of civil infrastructure, and works collaboratively with the water quality/efficiency group members and the business/data management and operations staff to constantly improve the systems’ operations, reliability, and regulatory compliance. The engineer will support a variety of in-house engineering efforts, producing analyses/reports, computer-aided drafting of construction drawings, and preparation of figures/exhibits and PowerPoint presentations. Two major aspects of the Group’s focus in the near future are: (1) upgrading and expansion of the water systems’ SCADA, metering & instrumentation, and asset management systems; and (2) comprehensive condition & capacity assessments and development of master plans and capital improvement programs for each category of civil infrastructure.
Core Duties*:
- Manage and execute the engineering aspects of civil infrastructure systems’ reliability and capacity assurance, capital program development, and capital projects identification, scoping, planning, prioritizing and implementation quality assurance; capital projects’ design, permitting and construction management are managed by another Land, Building, and Real Estate (LBRE) department.
- Conduct/manage systems evaluations and engineering efforts such as hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, field inspections and condition assessments, engineering analyses, data management, field reconnaissance, preparation of engineering studies/reports, managing consultants and contractors, and field inspection of construction and installations.
- Review analyses and project design documents for clarity, completeness, and constructability; balancing productivity with attention to detail is crucial for this role.
- Work collaboratively within a team setting in the group to facilitate comprehensive and efficient engineering and operational efficiency and assure regulatory compliance; and will also directly manage some of the group’s more complex studies/analyses.
- Collaborate with other utilities managers (e.g., energy and communication systems) and land use planning and development colleagues in various departments to coordinate logistics to minimize campus disruption and facilitate contained project execution.
- Work collaboratively with the water planning/stewardship and business systems/data management teams and the operations staff to constantly improve the systems’ operations, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
- Work closely with the group director to thoroughly understand the background, significance, and direction for the team’s efforts, and the priorities and processes to execute them collaboratively and successfully.
- *Other duties may also be assigned
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering, or combination of education and experience. Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 7 years (10 preferred) of progressively responsible engineering and experience in roads, drainage, water and sewer systems, including planning, hydraulic calculations, plans and specifications preparation, project management, and construction inspection.
- Must have extensive analytical, design and field experience in general civil infrastructure, including roads, water, sewer, and storm drainage systems, and preferably dams and bridges, and familiarity with their operation.
- Demonstrated experience in advanced analysis, problem-solving, logistics planning, financial planning & budgeting, and customer service skills.
- Experience preparing and giving presentations.
- Experience leading large meetings of project teams and stakeholder groups.
- Experience with conventional permitting processes and working with governmental agencies.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Professional approach, technical competence, initiative/creativity, excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills, and desire to work as a collaborative team player are all general attributes necessary for successfully working in this position and in the Stanford facilities environment.
- Working knowledge of instrumentation & controls systems, databases for inventory/asset management and operational/regulatory compliance reporting is preferred.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills, and experience preparing (Power Point) presentations.
- Highly motivated, with a collaborative professional approach and communication style.
- Proficiency in personal computer systems and software (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and infrastructure related software (e.g., StormCAD, SewerCAD and AutoCAD).
Certifications and Licenses:
- California Noncommercial driver's license
- Preferably a California professional engineering license, with engineering experience in general civil infrastructure, including roads, water, sewer, and storm drainage systems, and preferably dams and bridges, and familiarity with their operation
Physical Requirements:
- Frequently stand/walk, sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, and use a telephone.
- Occasionally kneel/crawl, twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, and grasp forcefully, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 21-40 pounds.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a California Noncommercial driver's license
Working Conditions:
- May require some travel and working evenings and weekends.
Work Standards:
- When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.
- Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide.
